Cabin Fever? How to Plan a Solo Travel Experience for Post-Quarantine
Solo travel was seriously on the rise before the pandemic hit, shutting down airports, cities and entire countries. In 2019, solo travellers made up an estimated 18 per cent of all global travel. Now, there’s no reason why we won’t see similar kinds of numbers as things get back to normal and more places open up again.
There will, however, be a few changes to travel of all kinds. From RV weekends away to international getaways to far flung places, things are a bit different these days There’s an element of the unknown, as well as new regulations to consider around the world. This just means that you might need to change your goals for a trip or do a bit more pre-planning beforehand to ensure that your explorations don’t get cut short or grind to a halt.
Shift Focus To Domestic Travel
A lot of solo travellers have shifted focus to now go on local trips, exploring their own country rather than crossing borders or oceans. This trend has come to life as many countries still have serious controls on their borders about who may enter, and whether or not you need to quarantine when you arrive. Mandatory quarantines and PCR testing can get quite expensive when you add it onto the costs of your travels.
A lot of people are also wary of flying and don’t want to be stuck in an enclosed plane wearing a mask for long hours. There is also the concern that they may travel to a country that gets put on the red list while they are there. Travelling by car or RV in your own country is much safer than flying or taking public transport in a world ravaged by a pandemic.
Do Plenty Of Research Before Picking Your Destination
Whether you want to go to another county or cross oceans to the other side of the world, you need to research where you are going very carefully these days. For a solo traveller, it isn’t just about understanding the local culture and getting to know where the high crime spots are. Now, you need to consider where the COVID hotspots are, the number of people in the region who are vaccinated, what the local regulations are on social distancing and mask wearing, and so much more.
Take the time to look at infection rates and work out if the area is likely to hit a new wave while you are travelling there. It’s also important to see if there are different regulations based on whether or not you’re vaccinated.
Another thing to consider are the COVID safety measures put in place by your accommodation. Renting a room in a house on Airbnb or staying in a hostel with strangers isn’t the safest idea these days because it’s harder to maintain normal social distancing. Look for accommodation that feels secure and comfortable, but still gives you that element of distance and safety.
If you’re in an RV, the campsite you visit may have its own regulations and rules, so be sure to check these out too. However, you’re at an advantage as you’re already in your own space.
You should also pay careful attention to factors like cancellation policies and how easy it is to move or change your travel dates. This goes for both your accommodation and your travel bookings. Many places now have a COVID-related policy about refunds and moving dates, but it’s important that you know what they are so that you can make adjustments if something changes.
Consider That COVID Measures May Impact Meeting New People
One of the major joys of solo travelling is meeting people along the way. Sadly, this aspect has been hit hard due to the nature of the precautions the world has taken around COVID-19. Wearing masks and keeping 1.5m apart doesn’t make it easy to strike up conversations with perfect strangers! Some travellers have even said they can’t chat to wait staff in restaurants because there is an air of efficiency and distance.
That’s not to say that you won’t be able to make friends or strike up conversations while travelling alone, it will just be a bit harder.
You may also want to consider that your solo getaway should be about quiet contemplation and getting away from the noise of everyday life. Right now may be the best time to try something completely different like a mountain retreat, or camping in the middle of nowhere. You won’t have to consider wearing masks and many of the new health and safety protocols if it’s just you and nature.
Just remember, you need to always have a safety net for solo travelling. Someone needs to know where you are and what your plans were just in case you get into an accident or are injured or incapacitated.
Pick Destinations That Interest You, Not That Look Good On Instagram
With the rise of Instagram and other social media, solo travelling has become something that people consider to be quite glamorous. Too many people want to go somewhere that will photograph well and help them to jump on a current trend. The focus becomes about what photographs and videos can you take, rather than what will you discover while on your travels.
This has also led to places that used to be quiet becoming very busy. Those beautiful photos you see of Santorini streets and roofs or pristine Croatian beaches with no people in them are not very easy to snap. You need to get up really early or wait for hours for that exact moment where the people clear out of your shot.
This is not what solo travelling is about.
Instead, look for destinations that haven’t become Insta-famous. Rather go somewhere that really sparks your interest, where you can explore and get to know yourself a bit better. Make it about the experience and not about what looks good on social media.
The world is different now, and your solo travel plans need to reflect this. Jumping in an RV is a great option for exploring your backyard and beyond, but if you want to venture further afield, make sure you do your research.